Popular forward Duncan McKenzie had to endure being
substitutes and being replaced by teenager Carl Harris when Leeds United were
beaten 2-1 at Elland Road by Tommy Docherty’s emerging Manchester
United in October 1975. United manager Jimmy Armfield made himself unpopular
with the home fans when he pulled McKenzie out of the action after sixty
minutes with his side trailing 2-0 to the league leaders. “I don’t make
decisions for the sake of popularity,” he explained, “I did it because we
needed more challenge up front and putting young Carl on gave us greater width.
I spoke with Duncan afterwards and
he agreed he was not playing well,” he added.

McKenzie confirmed that he had not been at his best, but his
substitution only served to fuel rumours that the player could have been on his
way from Elland Road. “My
substitution was fair enough but I am still wondering at the back of my mind
about my future. I will wait and see how things go in the next few weeks,” he
said, adding, “At least the crowd are on my side.”

The Reds, rebuilt by Docherty and top of the table, took all
the honours and made the Elland Road
side look very ordinary. In fairness Armfield’s men were without hot-shot
striker Peter Lorimer, central defender Gordon McQueen and first choice goalkeeper
David Harvey, but they were too slow to contain the fast running Reds and
lacked the pace to put their own attacking ideas into action.

Paul Madeley fought hard all through, but United could not
get a grip in midfield and in defence Norman Hunter, up against the mobile
Stuart Pearson, had one of his toughest afternoons. However, Hunter showed the
determination that many of his team-mates appeared to lack on the day, yet even
his efforts could not keep the Reds out.

Half an hour of the game had gone when United fell into
arrears. Steve Coppell got past Frank Gray and though his low shot was pushed
out by David Stewart, the ball went straight to Sammy McIlroy and the Northern
Ireland international hit the ball firmly
back past the United keeper. Billy Bremner, playing up front in this game,
chipped a shot narrowly wide before Allan Clarke shot over from a good position
and the sides went in at half time with the visitors just the one goal in
front.

The men from Old Trafford were making a stylish bid to
remain on top of the First Division, and went two goals up, five minutes into
the second half. Sammy McIlroy shot from the left flank and although David
Stewart appeared to have the twenty-five yard effort covered he fluffed it and
the ball went in off the post.

Fifteen minutes from the end Paul Reaney had a chance to
pull a goal back but he was denied by a brave save from Alex Stepney before
Terry Yorath headed over. Nine minutes from the end, Allan Clarke put United in
with a chance of snatching a point when he scored from close range following a
low cross from Paul Madeley. But it wasn’t to be. The men from Manchester
held on for a notable victory.

Players:

Allan Clarke scoredDuncan McKenzie was substituted by Carl
HarrisNorman Hunter could not control Pearson

Paul Reaney was denied by StepneyAlex Stepney was in goalJimmy Nicoll and Stewart
Houston were at full-back

Brian Greenhoff and Martin Buchan were the
central defence.Lou Macari and
Stuart Pearson were the strikers